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99 Chapter

“……Why is Mother calling the Master?”

“I apologize, but I have not been informed of the reason. I was only told to bring you.”

Serenon’s expression while talking with the attendant was overly stiff. I looked at him for a moment, then rolled my eyes.

‘I’ve got a rough idea why I’m being summoned… I could go, but it feels like I’ll get lectured for coming back late.’

The sun was already setting. I anticipated being scolded by my family when I returned home, but still moved towards the attendant.

“I can go, but as you can see, I’m not in a state to visit Her Majesty the Empress. Is that alright?”

“Regardless of your state, it was said that you should come immediately.”

Having just finished a training session, I was slightly sweaty and disheveled. I nodded at the servant’s reassurance and tried to tidy my windblown hair.

“I suppose I must go, Your Highness.”

“Wait a moment!”

Serenon grabbed me urgently. His dilated pupils showed his panic, prompting me to narrow my eyes.

“Is something wrong?”

“Um, I think it would be better if you didn’t go…”

With his eyes averted, Serenon fumbled over his words.

‘Well, Tina Cypros can be a ruthless person.’

It seemed that Serenon was worried about what Tina might do to me. Since I was part of the Duke’s Mansion, I could refuse the summons if I didn’t feel like it.

‘However, she is someone I should face at least once. Tina isn’t dumb enough to openly attempt to harm me, and even if she did… I wouldn’t go down without a fight.’

I had no intention of rejecting Tina’s summons. I smiled slightly at the anxious Serenon.

“It’s alright. Since I’ve become your teacher, I must meet with a parent at least once.”

Upon hearing the word “parent,” Serenon’s expression became indescribably complex. I held back a chuckle and bowed.

“I wish you well. I will take my leave now.”

Turning towards the imperial palace, I urged the attendant to lead the way. After briefly glancing back and forth between Serenon and me, the attendant left a short greeting with Serenon and guided me.

Tina’s palace was located right next to Serenon’s. As I walked through the solemn palace, dominated by cold colors, I couldn’t help but think how terrifyingly clean it was.

“Here it is.”

After walking down a long corridor, we arrived at the audience room, where two knights stood guard. One of them opened the door upon verifying our identities.

“You’ve arrived.”

As the door opened, a cold, monotone voice seized my ears.

‘…As expected, a ruler is indeed a ruler.’

Despite being an ordinary person with no hint of power, the aura she exuded was overwhelming. Even I, a Sword Master, felt my brows furrow slightly in admiration at her presence, and I stood before her with a graceful bow.

Diego resembled the emperor, while Serenon appeared similar to the empress.

Serenon’s hair was a slightly more saturated shade of lavender, cut short enough to brush his shoulders. As if he couldn’t endure even a moment of waiting for me, his glassy, misty blue eyes, which had been skimming through documents in the audience room, didn’t look at me at all.

The greatest difference between her and Serenon was undoubtedly in their gazes.

While Serenon’s eyes were much more fluid, reflecting the thoughts behind them, Tina’s gaze resembled that of a predator ready to pounce at any moment.

I didn’t shy away from that gaze; instead, I accepted it slowly and respectfully bowed my waist.

“I greet Your Majesty, the Empress. I am Kashmir Crisis.”

Tina Cypros. The empress of this empire.

‘The one who constantly puts Diego in life-threatening situations.’

Thinking about that made my head turn hazy. The mere thought of that graceful face ordering Diego’s assassination sent chills down my spine.

But showing that was foolishness itself. I maintained my composure, keeping a neutral expression.

“Thank you for responding to my sudden summons. Please, have a seat.”

I sat in the chair opposite Tina, who beckoned. Before long, a maid entered and set my tea and snacks on the small table between us before quietly retreating.

‘There’s no poison.’

I raised a cup of black tea and briefly inhaled its aroma, concluding that Tina wasn’t foolish enough to attack me directly, but knowing little about her, I remained on guard out of habit.

I moved gracefully according to etiquette and took a sip of the tea.

“I appreciate you becoming Serenon’s teacher without any complaints, even though it was sudden. How was the first lesson with him?”

“Oh, His Highness is remarkably quick to understand. It was enjoyable.”

Somehow, it felt bizarre, like I was having a meeting with a parent. Answering somewhat awkwardly, Tina elegantly raised her cup in acknowledgment. Every small gesture of hers was imbued with nobility and grace.

“Serenon is a brilliant child. By the way, I’ve heard that you also have the role of a confidant to His Majesty the Emperor now.”

“Oh, yes.”

“Did the Emperor share anything special with you? For instance…”

Tina’s blue eyes flashed brightly.

“Were you told to become the Crown Princess?”

“Cough.”

I barely held back a cough at her sudden remark. Fortunately, it was just a light cough, so I didn’t spill my tea.

‘Why is she asking about that…?’

I forced myself to regain composure as I met Tina’s gaze. Her eyes sparkled with an intensity like that of a predator, void of any playfulness.

‘Though she mentioned dating both Diego and Serenon in jest, the suggestion to become the Crown Princess was serious…’

After a moment’s reflection, I shook my head.

“No, there was no such mention.”

“Then that’s a relief. You must be curious why I summoned you, huh? I’ll be direct.”

Tina set her cup down on the table. Her cold, rational gaze stared at me. Standing before her felt like being weighed and measured, as if suspended on a scale. As her persistent gaze bore into me, Tina finally spoke.

“Don’t you consider becoming a Crown Princess?”

With only Serenon as the second prince, this meant being asked to be his wife.

In an instant, I almost dropped my teacup but held back with willpower. My face, fixed over the teacup, reflected my quivering pupils on the tea’s surface.

Having heard from Serenon that Tina was involved in this situation, I had anticipated she wanted to draw me into the faction supporting the second prince.

‘But to want to pull me in so deeply…

The idea of becoming a Crown Princess was not just a “let’s sail on the same ship” proposal; it was akin to saying, “become the chief navigator of the ship.” Stunned and lost for words, Tina continued.

“I know. It must be surprising. I understand this was a rather hasty proposal. However… I was impatient because I knew you were close with the prince. I can’t let such a good card as the daughter of the Crisis Duke slip away to the prince.”

Her voice, firm and cold, spoke directly to the situation at hand. She referred to me as a “card” without any hesitation.

‘So Tina is proposing an arranged marriage between Serenon and me.’

It was known that marriages among nobility were the best tools to solidify the bond between two factions. However, being directly proposed felt somewhat dazed. As I blinked in silence, Tina continued.

“Though the Duke of Crisis has made it public that he has no intention of marrying you off to another, the feelings of both the father and the parties involved may differ.”

‘Did Caesar announce such a thing?’

Slowly dragging my lips together, I mulled it over. Watching me closely with her icy gaze, Tina opened her mouth.

“I intend to make Serenon an emperor. Once Serenon becomes emperor, you will naturally become the empress. You will be the most noble woman in this empire. All power will reside in your hands.”

Tina crossed her legs and leaned forward, bringing her face closer to mine. The deep blue dress she wore fluttered slightly. In her eyes dwelled a kind of obsessive ambition.

“A woman must have great dreams once she is born into this world. Isn’t a life with the emperor as your husband alluring? If you were to become the Crown Princess and receive support from the Duke’s Mansion, it would only be a matter of time before Serenon becomes emperor.”

“Would you not consider joining us?”

Tina was offering that if I made use of the power of the Crisis Duke’s Mansion, she would help make me a queen.

‘Must one become the empress to be deemed the most noble?’

In a moment of contemplation, while swirling my teacup, I slowly opened my mouth.

“…May I ask a few questions?”

“If it’s a matter I can answer, I will.”

Tina gracefully raised her cup again with an unshakable gesture. Taking a deep breath, I pondered her demeanor and pristine outfit for a second.

‘Shouldn’t an empress appear like that?’

She seemed terrifyingly thorough, almost like a machine instead of a human. My eyes lingered nervously on her corseted waist as I spoke with caution.

“First, I’m curious as to why you’ve made this proposal to me. I understand you need the power of the Duke’s Mansion, but as you know, not just one daughter exists from the Duke’s family. There are many who are far more excellent and powerful in the social circle than I am.”

“In short, you think the Crown Princess would be more suited to Aria Crisis, then?”

I nodded briefly. Tina chuckled lightly.

“I certainly thought the same. Hence, I had already made a proposal to Lady Aria.”

“…You proposed it already?”

My eyes widened. This was news I hadn’t heard before.

‘Could it be… that time?’

Aria had never directly mentioned it to me. However, I had pieced together a rough idea of what transpired.

A few months prior, when Caesar and Aria were surprisingly chatting seriously while sitting together, I remembered how the exchange had gone.

“I received word from the empress but… I don’t want that. Why would I get married? I’ll live with my sister forever.”

“I knew you’d say that. It’s not surprising. The Crisis family has always maintained neutrality, and rejecting that one proposal wouldn’t put you at risk. Do what you like.”

“What are you two so serious about?”

“It’s nothing!”

“Just a trivial matter.”

I had found it odd to see them, who typically barely interacted, huddling together, whispering about something. They were likely discussing Tina’s proposal.

“Yes. Just as I proposed to you, I had proposed to her. But she firmly refused, which is why I came to you.”

Tina spoke calmly. As I fidgeted with my fingertips, I slowly raised my gaze to meet hers.

“One more question. Are you okay with the second prince marrying someone he does not love?”

“…You’ve got a funny way of speaking.”

Upon hearing my question, Tina looked at me silently before coldly retorting.

“The marriages of royals are not the fruits of love. They are tools for the best bonds.”

“I understand, but still. Do you think the prince will be happy with a marriage to me?”

Pausing slightly, Tina’s gaze met mine. She slowly set her cup down and stood up.

“Love is like a flower that blooms for a season, only to wither away.”

Elegantly striding across the room, she stood by the window. She gazed intently at a bouquet of red tulips adorning the windowsill. With graceful fingers, she plucked a bloom from the pot. A beautiful flower bud rested in her fair, small hand.

“When the time passes, it wilts and crumbles too easily.”

With a squeeze,

The white hand formed a fist. The crumbled red tulip bled like it was pouring out from between her fingers. Staring coldly at her hand, stained with the remains of the dead tulip, Tina scattered the remnants on the ground without a trace of regret, returning to her seat.

For a moment, I thought that the scent of tulip in the room resembled the smell of blood.

“Though love may be fleeting, power is eternal.”

Sitting back down, Tina brushed off her hand, still stained with remnants of red petals. Her voice was far too cold and chillingly precise.

“I wished to pass on eternal power to my son. That is all.”

 

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